Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageBefore the Nickelodeon: The Early Cinema of Edwin S Porter (1982)
Director: Charles Musser
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Edwin S Porter's contribution to the history of the movies is enormous. At a time when most film-makers were content with crude one-take shorts of straightforward dramatic design, Porter was already experimenting with editing his stories to include different points of view and various trick special effects which he may have learned from Méliès. His Western The Great Train Robbery (1902) set the stamp on what was to become Hollywood's greatest genre, and was the most popular film until The Birth of a Nation (1915), directed by DW Griffith, an actor who was given his first movie break by Porter. Musser's enchanting piece of movie archaeology traces the life of this key figure, with plenty of clips from his greatest hits, a commentary from Blanche Sweet (the Griffith star), and just the right note of amused genuflection to a master. Also included, complete, are four of Porter's short films. CPea.Author: CPea
Cast & crew
Director: Charles Musser
Producer: Charles Musser
Genre(s): Documentaries
Duration: 60 mins
Top Stories
Ridley Scott interview
Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback
Cannes Film Festival 2012: half-time report
Dave Calhoun reports on the hits, misses and a shocking new masterpiece from Michael Haneke
What do you think?
Post your review now